Water quality, tree canopy a worry for Kettle Creek watershed

A just-released report card on the Kettle Creek watershed has given poor grades to water quality and forest conditions, suggesting little has changed in the conservation region over the last five years.

A new report card on the watershed south of London to Lake Erie gives it poor grades for water quality and forest conditions, suggesting little has changed in the drainage area over the last five years.

The report on the Kettle Creek watershed cites concerns over the shrinking tree canopy in the area and the quality of surface water, saying it’s high in phosphorous – a “key area of concern,” says the report, which is headed to London city council’s planning and environment committee Monday.

Phosphorous often originates from farm run-off, industries and human waste, and has been implicated in the massive, water life-choking algae blooms that have formed in Lake Erie in recent years.

The Kettle Creek watershed extends from south of London to Port Stanley and is drained by a creek of the same name that flows into Erie, directly affecting the lake’s water quality.

“Kettle Creek is the lifeblood of so many communities, we take our responsibility seriously to do whatever we can for these conditions,” said Elizabeth VanHooren, general manager of the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority.

We are trying to bring people in harmony with nature but we can do more. At least it is not getting worse.

Elizabeth VanHooren

“The take-away for us, is that we are holding our ground. It is a snapshot in time and the take-away is that at least we are not losing ground.”

The report card – they’re done for all conservation authorities in Ontario – is done every five years and the findings are consistent with the last one completed in 2013, she added.

“Over the last five years we have taken big steps to address these issues,” said VanHooren.

The authority has spent $1.6 million on stewardship projects, largely working with land owners to improve their environmental practices to reduce contaminants in the water.

“We are trying to bring people in harmony with nature, but we can do more. At least it is not getting worse,” said VanHooren.

About one million trees were planted from 2001 to 2013.

In addition, 19 wetlands have been created and restored from 2013 to 2017.

The report says that over the last five years 97.9 per cent of phosphorous samples collected across the watershed area exceeded provincial water quality standards. Phosphorous contributes to algae blooms, creating low oxygen conditions and killing fish and vegetation.

Many initiatives begun after the last report are not yet bearing fruit, VanHooren insists.

“It takes years to better the tree cover. But we are ambassadors for the next generation,” said VanHooren.

The report gave forest conditions in the area a D grade, ranging to C, meaning they’re in poor to fair condition, and a tree canopy is critical to supporting wildlife.

Environment Canada says 30 per cent forest cover is needed to support wildlife, and Kettle Creek has only 14 per cent cover.

“Forest cover is being lost faster than it can be replaced,” says the report. “Restoration and protection of natural habitats, particularly the existing large forest patches, should be encouraged to ensure ecosystem integrity is maintained.”

Based on 2015 aerial photography, the watershed is losing 7.32 hectares of forest per year.

“Planting an average of 50,000 trees per year is barely keeping pace with the current rate of deforestation,” it states.

Surface water quality got a D grade, or poor, largely as a result of the high phosphorous levels, as well as E.coli. Agriculture is cited as a reason for the poor quality of surface water, given runoff from farms that releases fertilizers and pesticides as well as sediment and erosion, heavy metals and petroleum products and chemicals.

“Our actions on land impact the quality of our water,” states the report. Water found below the ground in aquifers scored the highest, an A grade, with the report stating it was “better than drinking water guidelines.”

The Kettle Creek watershed is about 520 square kilometres, and includes St. Thomas but does not range east on the shoreline to include Port Bruce.

REPORT CARD HIGHLIGHTS

Surface water quality: D, poor

Underground water quality: A, excellent

Forest conditions: D to C, poor to fair

Forest cover: 14 per cent, half the federally-recommended level needed to support wildlife

Wetlands: F, very poor.

Wetlands account for 1.3 per cent of the area, versus recommended 10 per cent to support wildlife.

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